Our lifestyles are a testimony to what we actually believe. The Christian life is not one solely of lip service to our Lord, but also actions and thoughts that are consistent with what we profess. Just as a tree is identified by the fruit it bears, so also our life reveals our faith. Here is a Biblical truth: following Jesus is difficult but has eternal reward for those who take upon this journey with him. Jesus even taught (Mt 7:14), “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”

With this in mind, Paul likens the life of faith to that of an athlete who begins to train and prepare for Olympic games. He uses the method of illustrations to teach the Corinthian congregation the necessity of dedicating one's whole life to the Holy Spirit Boot Camp training program in righteousness. This is the only way we be victorious in this life of Jesus and receive heaven’s prize.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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The central focus of the Gospel is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a result, the primary purpose of all ministry is the spreading of its good news of our great salvation and thus save souls. Further, this message is not reserved for one ethnic nationalistic group, but to all nations, tribes and tongues, thus Jesus Great Commission (Mt 28:19-20), “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” This is the church mission until the Second Coming of our Lord, thus he said, “…and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Paul was called into this mission field of ministry as an Apostle to preach to the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 9:15). This was especially a difficult tasking with the Corinthian church who was composed of both. At times, their distinct cultural differences were like attempting to mix oil and water, thus causing disunity within the church. In our sermon text, Paul reminds us of our call to spread the Gospel to both groups. He offers his strategy for winning souls out of every nation, tribe, and tongue.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

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A faithful minister of the Gospel is not one who is perfect or sinless. Rather, one who diligently strives daily to obey Christ and love his Bride (his church). The Bible teaches that the relationship between clergy and congregation is symbiotic in its nature. Meaning, both are dependent on one another in a mutually beneficial relationship. Paul highlights the truth when he challenged the Corinthian congregation, (v11), “If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?” (cf., Mt 10:9-10).

Further, in Part 2 of this sermon series (v7-14) Paul reiterated that God has put into the hands of the church body the resources needed to support their Pastors and families in a similar way to how he structured the care of Old Testament Priest and Levites who served God and the people through a tithing system, thus Paul affirms (v13), “Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?” Though the tithing systems were a part of the Mosaic law and were fulfilled in Jesus, a similar principle of shared community care has been established by God for the NT church (e.g., 2 Cor 9, Acts 4:32-37).

In Part 3 of this sermon series, Paul reminds the church that though he has these rights to community care, he has declined to request them from the church. In today’s message, we’ll further explore why he decided to go the bi-vocational route as minister of the Gospel.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:15-18

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A preacher of the gospel shares in both the spiritual and material benefits within the church community in which they serve. As a general statement, (in American culture) too often Pastors are viewed as superhuman people who only exist to serve the needs of the congregation. Very little thought is given to how the attitudes and actions of church members impact their spiritual, emotional and financial well-being. What is sometimes forgotten is that clergy are people… with the same needs as those in the laity. As result more and more Pastors lament suffering neglect in these areas due to the lack of Biblical reciprocation of care that they extend towards their church family.

Paul was dealing with a similar situation among the Corinth congregation. His two letters (1 & 2 Corinthians) to them reveal issues he was having in this area, to include those who did not respect his God-given authority as an Apostle within the church. In Part 2 of this sermon series, he continues to challenge their unbiblical view of Christian liberty and community care as it relates to a minister of God.

Focus Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:7-14

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The currency of the church to impact the moral thermometer of American culture is in decline. In a similar downward trend, so is the value and respect for Christian ministers within the church. As a general statement, we live in time where Pastors are expected to be CEOs with divine powers like the Holy Spirit as those who can:
· Do all things as we should possess all spiritual gifts and practical skills.

· Discern & interpret all people's feelings and emotions at all times.

· Be everywhere fulfilling all the needs of the congregation.

As a result of these unbiblical expectations, burnout among Pastors is also on the rise, as many are resigning (or being removed) from ministry. Further, serving God’s people can be very difficult at times, as (sometimes) your good can be returned with evil. Your mistakes and shortcomings can be met with unending criticism rather than compassion, patience and understanding. Your adoration for the members, can be returned with contempt and disrespect.

Unfortunately, this is not a new reality for church leaders, as Paul had to endure those who questioned his authority (and his church community rights) as Apostle and minister of the Gospel. In some cases, they objected to him as a person, for they complained about his appearance and public speaking skills. He apparently lacked charisma they longed for, as they grumbled against him (2 Cor 10:10), “…his bodily presence is weak, and his speech is of no account.”

Gifts and talents he did not possess was at times weaponized against him to marginalize his role in the church community. Paul had to remind the church of his ministerial rights as one who was sent by God to shepherd them in faith. In Part 1 of this sermon series, he:

· Reminds them of the Biblical qualification of an Apostle.

· Begins his defense for communal rights as an Apostle.

Sermon Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:1-6

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In Ephesians 2 we learn that God has made his people alive with Christ and is building them together into a holy temple as a dwelling place for the Holy Spirit. As in any large-scale building project, challenges and discouragements can come that need to be overcome. God speaks to his people in Haggai 2:1-9 when they faced challenges in re-building the physical temple in 520 B.C. These words serve his people today to instruct and encourage them to persevere in faith "toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:14

Scripture Reading: Haggai 2:1-9

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Christian liberty is to be exercised with a heart of grace and Bible truth. God has given us the freedom to enjoy things in his creation (1 Tim 4:4-5); however, such freedom is to be stewarded according to this Word with a mindset of loving thy neighbor as thyself.

Paul continues in his exhortations to the church in how to apply such liberty in our fellowship with others. Bottomline, we are cautioned against allowing our Christian living to cause our fellow brethren to stumble in their faith.

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:7-13

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The Christian serves one God. The guardrails to Christian liberty is defined by this truth. While we are set apart (sanctified) as holy people for godly use, there are some allowances to enjoy amenities of this life such as food, celebrations, and entertainment. We are able to do so because everything in creation belongs to God (Ps 24:1). Paul even taught (1 Tim 4:4-5), “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, (5) for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.”

What is the Christian application of this truth as it relates to our fellowship with others that might involve worship (or affirmation) of something other than our one God? This was a prevailing concern for Corinthian Christians as they are embedded within a culture overrun with false god worship.

How should they engage in fellowship with non-believers (who may also be family, friends and past associates) where idolatry is involved in the process? How does a Christian reconcile in his own heart what earthly delights are permissible under Christian liberty? Paul uses their inquiry to him concerning a matter of eating meat offers to idols to address this timely issue.

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-6

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